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Ransomville Speedway Profile: Fingerlow Family

As most of us find ourselves obsessed over race cars and dirt tracks, we usually begin through family. This family of course is no exception. The Fingerlow’s from North Tonawanda can be found on the track Thursday and Friday nights. Fingerlow Motorsports consists of David Fingerlow, Matthew Fingerlow, and now Gavin Fingerlow!

After enjoying some time in a micro sprint, David made the transition into a sportsman. In 2019, he raced five races in the Novice Sportsman Division and won three of them! He then moved up to the Sportsman Division, taking the green seven times, and finishing 16th in the points standings. For 2020, he plans to continue running in the Sportsman Division with the goal to “have a few top 5 finishes and place top 10 in points”. He plans to wheel the 33 sportsman at a few BEI Lightning Series races and make a couple GRIT Series shows as well. Although David got his children into racing, he himself also got into racing through family. His grandfather, Tom Walker, was his ticket in. David says he was his “true inspiration growing up and in the racing world” and having only one arm did not stop him from owning his own mechanic shop and building race cars. He says “ it wasn't long before I was hooked to racing” and that “the fun really began when my grandfather, father, and uncle were building race cars for Turbo Tom Walker, his uncle to race at the Big R. David has found himself behind the wheel of a gokart, micro sprint, and open wheel sportsman. He says that he has “found his home at the Big R” and is anxiously awaiting the 2020 racing season.

Q&A with David Fingerlow
What is the greatest piece of advice you have gotten from someone?

“ Time is the most valuable thing you have, think big, don't be afraid to be bold, but live within your means, and don't get in your own way”.

What fuels your race teams motivation?

“After a long week in the shop and seeing the car handling well. A solid finish and of course a win. Although, a bad night at the track would motivate us as well to prepare for a better run the following week.”

What is the car that you have had the most fun driving?

“A sprint car of course, no guts no glory! Although, I do have fun in the sportsman.”

How is it sharing a race team with your sons?

“It's the greatest gift in the world to share something we all love. You see a lot of father and son or sons teams out there. We build a bond each night we are out in the shop working. I'm really looking forward to the day they both are on the track with me. After that I'll hang up the helmet.”
David’s children, Matthew and Gavin Fingerlow make their appearance every Friday night at the Big R as spectators to cheer on their dad; but, on Thursday nights, they will be the wheelmen.

11 year old Matthew has been working through the Little R rankings for a few years now. He will be racing the #38 in the Junior II division. Last season, Matt started tail and finished 3rd, when he said he “ran out of laps”. He has been making consistent progress and wants to keep moving forward. Matt hopes to win another feature but is “going to focus on becoming a better driver and work hard for that win”. He also hopes to finish top 5 in the points standings. Matt likes that the Ransomville Speedway go kart program helps the kids compete in a sport that they love. He loves hanging out with his friends before the races and appreciates that the program helps prepare them “to graduate to the bigger track” and David agrees. David says that the go kart program “teaches the kids the responsibilities and discipline of how serious racing really is, but also shows the fundamentals of it as well.” He is happy to see that many of the kids that started racing go karts are now racing on the big track, as he did himself. Matthew thinks the competition is very fair and it makes him a better driver. Matthew says, “Once I think I have something figured out, there’s always something else. I wouldn't enjoy racing if I went and won every week, I wanna win by racing my hardest.”

8 year old Gavin will use the 2020 go kart racing season as his debut to the Little R. Although he is always there supporting his brother Matthew, he plans to become a little wheelman himself. Gavin will be racing in the Novice Division in the #33x. He is excited to get some seat time and learn more about racing. Gavin says, “ I will learn each week and by watching the more experienced drivers each week.” He hopes to gain experience and have fun doing it. Gavin also says “watch out Matt!”

Gavin and Matthew Fingerlow

Q&A with Matt and Gavin Fingerlow

What is your typical Ransomville Speedway concession stand order?
Matt: “That's easy. That would be popcorn and a pepsi.”
Gavin: “My favorite would be a hotdog with a orange pop”

What is your favorite subject at school?

Matt: “Definitely gym class for sure.”
Gavin: “I really enjoy math class, keeps my brain thinking haha.”

Who is a driver that you look up to for inspiration?

Matt: “I would have to say Chase Elliott and Kyle Busch.”
Gavin: “My favorite race car driver is my dad.”

The Fingerlow family would like to thank Fingerlow Motorsports, Allstate/Andrew Clemen, Charsley Heating and Cooling, Village Inn, Parkhill Tree, Ron Woods Paving, Wayne Gaisor Racing, Queen City Yard Game Company, and JDS Electrical & Mechanical for their generous sponsorship and partnership for the 2020 race season. Besides their sponsors, the boys would like to thank their dad, mom, grandma, and their opa (grandpa) for believing in them and giving them the gift to pursue their hopes and dreams. David would like to thank his mom (Susan) and dad(David Sr.) for all the love and support; as well as, Jim Mordick, Michael Mordick, Gregg Rauscher, Jason Bair, Andrew Clemen, Dave Fronczak, Greg Charsley, Travis Charsley, Ron Woods, Bill Parkhill, Wayne Gaisor, and his children.

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